“Sweden Idol” contestant comes out as a lesbian

Thanks to AfterEllen.com reader Anna, we now know that one of the favorites in this year’s Sweden Idol competition is 26-year-old Mariette Hansson from Harpline outside Halmstad. She has performed songs like Pink‘s “Dear Mr. President,” singing and playing the guitar and, just this week, she came out to Sweden’s gay newspaper, QX.

I’ve roughly translated the interview, in which she talks about finding herself and why she chose Piper Perabo as one of the actresses she’d love to play her in a movie of her life.

QX: How gay are you on a scale from 1-10?

Mariette Hansson: Wow, what shall I answer it? I live with a girl so it’s at least 10 then. I’m completely open and you are actually the first I’m telling … You should stand up for who you are and that we now have a responsibility towards young people who are confused — as confused as you were when you were younger.

QX: What fun, because there are so very few girls who like girls who are out. Have you thought about what it would be to like to “come out” in public?

MH: I wondered if I should come out or not, but I feel I have a responsibility. Why should I not tell you when I would have told you if I had a boyfriend. But at the same time, I don’t want it to be a big commotion, but more “oh well, it’s true,” rather undramatic. It feels like that’s the way it becomes more accepted, that we just are there.

QX: Do you see yourself as lesbian or bisexual?

MH: I’ve been both, but right now I have to say I am totally gay, of course, as I’ve been with a girl for almost three years.

QX: When did you come out?

MH: I have probably always known it, that I liked boys and girls. But it’s evolved over the years and I’ve found myself with women ever since.

QX: In the presentation of you at TV4’s website, I saw that you answered Piper Perabo and Hilary Swank on the question of who should play you in the movie about your life.

MH: Haha, well maybe so. But I love them, and both of them are terribly good actresses. I love Lost & Delirious, a very strong film that I recommend.

OK, if there were any doubt she was a lesbian, that last line should really clue you in. Would you vote for Mariette Hansson?